Karnataka HC Hears PIL on 74 Unnatural Deaths in Dharmasthala

The Karnataka High Court heard a public interest litigation (PIL) on Tuesday, alleging a disturbing pattern of unnatural deaths and disappearances in and around Dharmasthala. The petitioner, the mother of a girl who was allegedly raped and murdered, seeks a court-monitored investigation into alleged mass burial sites.

A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justice K.S. Hemalekha heard the matter. Advocate Vrinda Grover argued that several bodies had allegedly been buried without following the mandatory legal procedure under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Karnataka (Investigation of Unnatural Deaths and Conduct of Inquests) Rules, 2004.

The plea also seeks directions to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to identify witnesses and initiate action against public officials who allegedly failed to follow the prescribed procedure while registering Unnatural Death Reports (UDRs). The petitioner has compiled details of 74 cases of unnatural deaths, claiming that many bodies were buried either on the same day they were recovered or the following day without proper documentation.

Details such as the location of graves, the age and gender of victims, and even UDR numbers were missing in several cases. Many victims were simply recorded as 'unknown persons', even in cases where bodies were recovered from lodges and guest houses that ordinarily maintain identity records of their visitors. In some cases, deaths were recorded only as suicides without specifying the manner of death, while three cases allegedly did not mention UDR numbers at all.

The counsel argued that these were repeated violations of the procedure prescribed under Section 174 CrPC, which governs inquiries into unnatural deaths, as well as the Karnataka rules that lay down the manner and timeline for such investigations. The petitioner also referred to the Karnataka government's July 19, 2025, notification constituting the SIT to investigate the controversy.

The notification requires the SIT to comprehensively investigate all cases linked to the controversy, including those registered at other police stations, while periodically reporting progress to the State. The petitioner cited five individual cases to illustrate the alleged pattern. The court is yet to pass an order on the PIL.

The allegations of mass burials without proper procedure have raised concerns about the handling of unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala. The petitioner's plea seeks to ensure that the authorities follow the mandatory legal procedure in such cases, and that the victims' families receive justice.

The case highlights the need for a thorough investigation into the alleged mass burial sites and the handling of unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala. The court's decision on the PIL is eagerly awaited, as it could have significant implications for the handling of such cases in the future.

In the meantime, the people of Dharmasthala and the families of the victims await justice and closure. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of following proper procedures in investigations and the need for accountability in such cases.

The Karnataka High Court's decision on the PIL will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for the handling of similar cases in the future. The court's order could also have implications for the authorities responsible for handling unnatural deaths in Dharmasthala, and could lead to changes in the way such cases are investigated and handled.

The case is a significant one, and its outcome could have far-reaching consequences. The people of Karnataka and the families of the victims await the court's decision, hoping that it will bring them closer to justice and closure.

The significance of the case lies in its potential to bring about changes in the way unnatural deaths are handled in Dharmasthala. The court's decision could lead to a more transparent and accountable investigation process, and could ensure that the victims' families receive the justice they deserve.